Federal agents and CVS pharmacy officials are speaking out about a $22 million fine the chain received for its poor prescription drug practices in Florida. Matt Grant (@MattGrantWESH) has the story.

Federal agents and CVS pharmacy officials are speaking out about a $22 million fine the chain received for its poor prescription drug practices in Florida. Matt Grant (@MattGrantWESH) has the story.

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Updated: 6:33 PM EDT May 14, 2015

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WEBVTT FEDERAL OFFICIALS AND CVS ARE SPEAK OUT ABOUT A $22 MILLION FINE THE CHAIN PHARMACY RECEIVED FOR POOR PRESCRIPTION DRUG PRACTICES IN FLORIDA. THE FINE IS CONNECTED TO A DEA INVESTIGATION OF TWO SANFORD CVS PHARMACIES LINKED TO THE PILL MILL EPIDEMIC IN FLORIDA. AS MATT GRANT EXPLAINS, OFFICIALS HOPE THE MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR SETTLEMENT SENDS A MESSAGE. THERE IS A COURT FINDING RESPONSIBILITY ON THE PART OF PHARMACISTS TO MAKE SURE THE PILL MILL PRICES -- PRACTICE DOESN'T CREEP BACK IN FLORIDA F. THEY FAIL ON THAT RESPONSIBILITY FROM WILL BE CONSEQUENCES. FOR CVS THE CONSEQUENCE IS A $22 MILLION SETTLEMENT. UNDER THE AGREEMENT WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, THE COMPANY ADMITS PHARMACISTS KNOWINGLY FILLED THOUSANDS OF ILLEGITIMATE PRESCRIPTIONS FOR PAIN KILLERS. MOSTLY OXYCODONE IN FLORIDA BETWEEN 2010-2011. THEY JUST ACCEPTED THE PRESCRIPTION AS IS. THAT IS CORRECT. KATHERINE HOE IS THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEY FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLORIDA. SHE SAYS THEY VIOLATE THE CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES ACT BY FAILING TO VERIFY THE PRESCRIPTIONS WERE LEGIT. THE TWO LOCATIONS WERE ORDERING ONE TO 2 MILLION OXYCODONE PILL AS YEAR. THAT'S 27 TIMES THE NATIONAL AVERAGE. IN A STATEMENT CVS SAYS THEY'VE PUT IN PLACE ENHANCEMENTS TO POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR FILLING CONTROLLED PRESCRIPTIONS WHILE ENSURING PRESCRIPTIONS HAVE BEEN ISSUED FOR LEGITIMATE MEDICAL PURPOSES. FOR MONTHS WESH 2 HAS UNCOVERED LEGITIMATE PATIENTS BEING DENIED PRESCRIPTIONS. SHE SAYS LEGITIMATE CRACKDOWNS AND LARGE SETTLEMENTS SHOULD NOT DETER PHARMACISTS FROM FILLING LEGITIMATE MEDICATIONS. SOMEONE WHO IS TRYING IN GOOD FAITH TO DO THEIR JOB IS NOT SOMEONE WHO IS GOING TO BE THE SUBJECT OF AN INVESTIGATION. THIS CVS IS ONE OF TWO IN SANFORD THAT HAD ITS DEA LICENSE REVOKED.